Bat Species in Virginia

Townsend's Big-Eared Bat

• Townsend's big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii) is found in mountain caves and abandoned mines in 14 of Virginia's western counties. The bat gets its name from the ears, which can be up to 1 inch in length. This bat is on both federal and state endangered species lists. The Townsend's big-eared bat spends its winters in Virginia caves and does not migrate. It has been named Virginia's official state bat.

Indiana Myotis

• Found in the western half of Virginia in 49 counties, the Indiana myotis (Myotis sodalis) was among the first bat species to be placed on the federal endangered species list. Its summertime roost is under loose tree bark or in hollowed-out trees. Most bats of this species do not spend the winter in Virginia but hibernate in caves in Indiana, Missouri and Kentucky.

Gray Myotis

• The gray myotis (Myotis grisescens) is the third bat species in Virginia that appears on the federal endangered species list. The reservoirs and rivers that provide habitat for insects also are foraging places for the gray myotis. The bat uses caves close to bodies of water in nine western counties to roost during summer. According to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, these summer colonies are composed of males and are not colonies with females and babies.

Hoary Bat

• The hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus) is located in Virginia as well as much of the United States. Its summer roost is in coniferous trees such as firs, hemlocks and spruces. Hoary bats feed upon nocturnal insects well after sunset. They must migrate during the winter months to warmer states where the insect population is not dormant. The hoary bat receives its name from the silver tips of its long fur, which makes it seem frosted. It is the largest bat found in Virginia.